O'Rourke explains why he changed his mind to run

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) In an interview with "CBS This Morning", Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke explains why he changed his mind to run for president and what makes him the most suitable person to be in the White House.

O'Rourke made his debut as a Democratic presidential candidate on Thursday, betting his optimistic economic message, liberal immigration policies and fame gained in a failed bid for the U.S. Senate last year will net him the party's 2020 nomination.

The former U.S congressman from El Paso, Texas, who announced his White House run by video on social media, immediately kicked off a three-day campaign swing through Iowa, which hosts the nation's first nominating contest in less than a year and is critical to his chances.

O'Rourke, 46, joined a jam-packed field of more than a dozen Democratic candidates, including several U.S. senators.

It remains to be seen whether he can make up ground for his relatively late entry into the race.

Critics say O'Rourke lacks a deep policy background and his unsuccessful run against U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas last November disqualifies him from pursuing an even higher office.

Still, his underdog race against Cruz earned him a national following.

Even in defeat, O'Rourke demonstrated a talent for attracting capacity crowds and raising large sums of money, skills he will need to carry to the national stage if he is to capture the nomination.